Post Operative Care Tips For Hair Transplant/Surgery

Are you suffering from hair loss or bald patches on your head? Is it lowering your confidence and self-esteem?

The good news is you can now cope with this issue utilizing a hair transplant.

When it comes to aesthetic surgery, hair transplantation is one of the fastest evolving procedures, with regular improvements in techniques surfacing.

Thanks to the recent advancements in technology and the concept of using follicular unit grafts, this procedure has emerged to be widely popular.

The number of balding men and women who resort to this surgical solution has witnessed a steady rise in recent times since this promises very natural-looking results.

How does it work?

This method usually involves taking the hair follicles from the donor site and implanting them on the scalp where male balding has set in.

Despite being an effective and standard process, you should take into account that it comes with its share of minor scars and other issues.

If you are soon to undergo a similar surgery, probably it would be encouraging for you to know that you will be discharged the same day, usually without any bandage.

If there is any oedema, you can take oral steroids for 3-5 days. [1]

You can wear a headband immediately after the operation to prevent the swelling from coming down on to the face, which can consequently, lead to a puffy face.

In all likelihood, the doctor will instruct you to wash your hair with a mild shampoo on the second or third post-operative day.

Exert enough caution while combing the hair in the transplanted area, so that the tooth of comb should not strike against the transplanted grafts.

When wearing clothes like T-shirts or pullovers, which have been taken off over the head should ideally be avoided for 3 weeks or so.

During this period, you should avoid hair oils or other stronger shampoos as well as helmets.

Let’s now focus on the problems you might face, once the procedure is done.

1. Scars are unavoidable:

The procedure is bound to leave you with a few scars till the hair grows back from the replaced follicles.

You may also experience some swelling or inflammation at the site of the transplant which may lead to irritation.

Consult your surgeon for medication which will lessen the swelling. Also, ensure that you refrain from touching or scratching the surface, no matter what.

2. Keep your head elevated:

The procedure is almost always followed by some amount of swelling.

So it is crucial to keep your head in an elevated position, to ensure that there is no extra swelling in the head.

It a good idea is to sleep with your head on two pillows to keep the head propped up.

Also, you may want to sleep or relax in a reclining chair for a few days until the swelling lessens considerably. [2]

3. Avoid outdoor activities:

Avoid intense physical activities like workouts and running, since sweating can make the scar swell even itchier.

Avoid your head being exposed to sunlight or a trip to the sauna for the few days as these too lead to sweating.

4. Use mild shampoos and clean the area regularly:

The area around the scar and your scalp should be kept as clean as possible.

By using mild shampoos and medication, you can keep the numbness and irritation at bay.

This will, in turn, give more time to the scars to recover.

5. Avoid spicy food to recover faster:

To aid faster recovery of the scar, you need to steer clear of over-spicy food as this usually has ill-effects on the incisions and scars after any surgical procedure.

These foods usually generate heat and can cause further swelling and redness, amongst other symptoms.

Make sure you also avoid excessive indulgence in alcohol.

So, now you can put all your worries to rest, and just follow these guidelines to stay safe in the post-operative stage.